I. am. so. tired. I knew this day was going to kick my butt when I woke up and winced that I even had to get out of bed. I haven’t been sleeping very well and b/c of that and raging hormones I had a wicked headache that lasted from Wednesday until Saturday, and then reared it’s ugly head again this morning. Thankfully it’s going to be beautiful and warm today so we can strip off the layers we piled on from last week and be outside for awhile. Conner is dying to play with his bubbles and whiffle ball, so today we shall set out to do that.

I’ve recently begun purging my craft stash and have so much fabric and yarn that it’s ridiculous. So after doing a little research I found a charity that has a local chapter in my area that donates handmade blankets (appropriately named Project Linus) to children who have been victims of trauma. Any children’s charity tugs at my heart strings, so couple that with the fact I can crank out some blankets pretty easily and I have begun.

I made a scalloped blanket that was really easy, but would’ve came out a little cleaner if I had read the directions first. It’s amazing what that one tip can save you in trouble. The pattern I used for it can be found in this book.

This blanket I thought I would have trouble giving it away when it was done since these are the colors I have picked out for Conner’s big boy room (and the nursery if our gummy bear is a boy, which we find out February 5th - AGH!!! SO EXCITED!!!), but I want to use a different kind of yarn so to the children’s hospital it goes.

Now I must drag myself upstairs and put clothes on to go walking - eating pizza and double stuffed oreos at 10 pm last night is just sitting in my stomach, waiting to be deposited onto my thighs.

Things here are chugging along rather smooth lately (at least where the holidays are concerned). It’s so amazing to me at how much energy it takes to force yourself to slow down. This time of year always boasts of business, hustling and bustling, but after making myself not do the crazed holiday thing, I think this Christmas season is my favorite so far. Of course my day does come to a screeching halt around 5:30 pm when my evening sickness rares it’s ugliness. Just a few more short weeks before the promises of the second trimester, right?

I wanted to get one more batch of clutches in the shop for Christmas before I take a break for a little bit, which will relieve a little stress (and time, also) to finish up other holiday gifts. It was interesting trying to come up with an idea that wasn’t too Christmas-y. So they’re a little more understated, but just as pretty I think, and emphasize something that I love about Christmastime - twinkly, shiny things!

I really can’t decide which I like better - the snowflakes, or the wintry trees. I actually love the blue ones, even tho they’re hard to see - they have that wintry, icy look to them, despite what the photo’s do not convey. You can find them here if you’re interested in purchasing one. And b/c I’ve mentioned it twice so far in the last month or so, I’m giving away a clutch (it’s a blue snowflake one like the one here), so if you want to take a stab at taking her home, just leave your name and your email in the comments and answer the following question and I’ll pull a name Thursday: What was the best gift you ever received for the holidays?

Things around here have been a little tense lately. It’s always these rough spots in life that make you step back and either realize all the blessings that you have or you can choose to pout, mope, pick fights and generally be a PITA. I used to take the PITA approach, but have since come to realize that’s helpful for no one. I’m not the natural optimist, it comes easy but certainly not naturally, but things are much more peaceful when you choose to count your blessings instead of belly-aching about how life is just not fair sometimes.

The last few weeks have been really difficult in more ways than one, so how does one get her mind off of harsh realities? By throwing herself into her work.

I love making these clutches - they really become addicting after awhile - so I had two ideas in mind. I love owls (it’s a bird, right?) and thought they would look great appliquéd on, except I forget it’s one thing to sketch a really cute, colorful owl, and quite another trying to cut out felt pieces for it.

So they were modified a little, but I still like how they came out. And the other is a nice, big flower. I love these flowers. They’re 100% wool felt and make me realize that wool felt may be more expensive but it’s so much nicer, easier to work with and all around just yummmmm.

I still have more I want to make, but they’re a little more winter-themed so they’ll be in the shop in a few weeks. But if you’re interested in purchasing (or just looking at) any of the new ones, click here to check them out.

(P.S. the beautiful belly you see in the pictures is not my baby belly, but Kel’s - I can’t wait for mine to start popping b/c hers looks so darn cute!)

When my computer decided to go ape-crazy on me a few weeks ago, I immediately went into panic mode. I had just recently backed up all my files so that wasn’t a worry. I was more upset by the fact that I couldn’t check my email 100 times a day until it got fixed. I mean, how else will someone be able to contact me?

The first day was pretty hard - I got to check my email before Tim left for work, and then again when he got home. Twice. That’s it. It was awwwwwwful. When Conner went down for his nap, what was I supposed to do? Certainly not read - no, no, no, I don’t read. That was my ‘net surfing time. No more blog reading. No more emailing. No more watching random YouTube video’s and forwarding them to everyone to see if they thought it was as funny as I did (which they never do because let’s face it - I laugh at everything).

I hated not having my laptop handy. But as the days went on, I came to realize just how much stinking time I waste on that thing. And I mean waste. Don’t take offense to anyone who’s blog I read and comment on, or who I email regularly - it’s not you…it’s me. And it’s all the other junk I read.

So what have I been doing with all my newfound freetime? Well, for starters I got all my crafting done for the fair that is to be held tomorrow morning. That was such a relief to get it finished and not a moment too soon. I even finished in enough time to whip-up some yummy fall treats, which, are making me salivate worse than Pavlov’s dogs.

I also spent a few days visiting the in-laws in Georgia and it was so much fun! Conner did great on the flights (on the way down he was a little overtired and couldn’t just point to the pictures in his book, but point and squeal “Apple!” or “Ball!” - the lady in front of us actually moved to the back of the plane after a few rounds of “Mama! Cat! Mama! Cat!”) and was so compliant when he was lugged all over creation. Conner has never been a big talker - not tangible words, that is - and in the last few weeks he was just beginning to talk more. But getting him in a different environment must have inspired him because his vocabulary just exploded! He was saying things I’ve never heard before…and never remembered teaching him. It was pretty cool, but also a reminder to be careful what I say when I make a woopsy. Hearing your toddler say “Cap!” instead of “Crap!” will only be funny for so long.

My crafty cohort, Jen, and I were invited to be on a local news show to talk about the craft fair we’re participating in tomorrow, and to show off some of our goods. At first I was reluctant - TV? No way. I’ve got so much to do, not to mention the camera adds 10 pounds, so I had to lose 10 pounds pronto, ya know, balance it all out. But after much persuading, I decided to do it and it wasn’t as punishing as I thought it would be. I wish they would post the video so I could upload it - I straightened my hair for it, brushed my teeth and everything…it was a big deal - so if they do I most certainly will link to it.

I feel like we need to catch up on so much more. How are you? How has your fall been going so far? Seen any good movies? No? Me either. Except for the Princess Diaries 2 that I tivo’d a few weeks ago. I love Anne Hathaway, she’s so beautiful and classy. And Julie Andrews - she’s amazing. Ah, I digress.

It’s time for me to rest my weary bones. I leave you with these grubbin’ pictures of Conner. This first one, his hair reminds me of Harry from Dumb & Dumber (my favorite line after Lloyd had rigged the blind boy’s beloved dead bird - “Harry! I took care of it!”)

Conner, how do you feel about PB&J?

Who’s my happy boy?

*The clutches and tote bags above are for the craft fair and any leftovers will be put in my etsy shop next week.

That’s what my blog has come to, apparently - once a week updates. I have intentionally been stepping back from this blog, but that reason is only 50/50. I’ve also been emersed in playdates, adult dates, crafting, frolicing, organzing, etc. etc. and blogging isn’t the first thing I think of in the morning anymore (*gasp* - what has my life come to). I’d much prefer to read other blogs that make me so happy, and will ocasionally be reminded that I need to blog. Okay, not need to blog but should. So, on with the show.

Conner is finally talking! I say finally only because it becomes slightly annoying when he’s around other kids his age and they’re saying, “Cookie, please” and “Look! Car!” and the only word that is uttered from my boy’s mouth is, “Ball!” over and over. But the last few weeks his speech is finally catching up with his knowledge and today he pointed to a pumpkin and said, “pun-tin!” And because I’m still getting used to having him say real words, it took him saying it about ten times before I turned to look and see that he was, in fact, pointing to a pumpkin. Everyday a new word is thrown into the mix and I can’t help but explode into applause when he masters another one. My favorite tho is when he holds his hands out (or up) to me and says, “me”, which is when he wants me to hold him. You can bet I will drop whatever it is I am doing for that brief moment when my baby boy still wants his mama to hold him.

I have also decided to do another craft show. As if I weren’t busy enough, for the next three weeks I will be making about twenty bags and other miscellaneous odds and ends to sell. The bags will mostly be clutches (like this one), but I am also doing some felted bags, which I did one earlier today and now I’m afraid I won’t want to sell it - it’s so yum! But we’ll see. I’m just trying to stay calm and keep things in perspective. And realize that agreeing to do a craft show a month before it is to be held isn’t the best. I’ll be putting what’s leftover in the shop, if anyone is interested.

I’ve also decided to pull the plug on Sugar Daisies. It hadn’t been updated in over eight months so I set it to private until I decide what I want to do with it. The ultimate goal is to write a cookbook - something I’ve just started researching and am super excited about, but only time will tell where it falls on the priority scale, if at all. So to those who loved it and linked to it, I appreciate it so much, I really do.

Okay, I think I’ve babbled enough. I leave you with this picture of my cutie pie, so happy to be playing on daddy’s computer.

Okay seriously, is it me or is everyone having a baby? I’m sure everyone knows someone who just had a baby or is about to have a baby or who just declared they’re having a baby…and this is me making the announcement that I am pregnant. Wait, did I say I was pregnant? I meant to say I am not pregnant. Shew! Would that have been a major oopsy (in more ways than one).

With all the baby and little-peopleness that is going on, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in making gifts.

This was my dining room table last Thursday after the clean up. It doesn’t seem too bad, but it about drove me nuts because it’s in a room we occupy often and I can. not. stand. having it a mess. Yes, that’s the instruction manual and the screwdriver you see there…I’d rather not talk about it. Let’s just say the problem was not located, but after promising not to be so distant and neglectful, we came to an agreement she would let me finish my work and we would discuss it later.

I also had to finish up another little gift for a baby that came fresh from the womb yesterday afternoon and delivered to my friend, Amanda. This family is nuts about squirrels (did anyone catch that? Anyone? A show of hands). I mean…insane, actually. So what would you give the baby who is being born into such craziness? Why, a onesie with a felt squirrel stitched on, that’s what!

I don’t like that I’m encouraging their addiction, but c’mon, the rodent can’t be that bad while being worn on an adorable baby, right?

Then there’s the birthdays. One special little girl in particular is turning 1 in a few short months, and upon exiting the baby year (and hence everything pastel), what screams toddler one day/teenager the next better than bright girly colors!

At first I didn’t know how this blanket would turn out since on their own the colors are well, BRIGHT. But once the ripples started melding together, it reminds me of jolly ranchers and makes my mouth water. And it’s a kid-magnet. When I work on it at the playpark, kids literally flock to me and watch me work. I feel like I should be telling them stories about the olden days, days where there was no internet and car phones came in bags, not devices the size of a credit card.

So that’s all folks. I know my blog is getting more and more titilating with each post (cricket… cricket…) but that’s all I can summon up. I have been avoiding my Bloglines like the plague - you take a few days off from reading and that bolded “489 feeds” seems so daunting. I honestly have been considering the fate of Laughing Daisies, only because I’m in a different place in my life than I was two years ago when I started blogging. Nontheless I have always appreciated anyone who takes the time to read about me, and that is still true today. I’m just starting to wonder about this creepy and yet amazing thing called the internet and where I fit in it all. But that’s another post for another day. Have a fantastic Thursday!

About a month ago, I was really feeling the need to simplify my life. I am not a clutter-bug, not in the typical sense, but I have quite a few craft supplies stacked and smooshed into boxes, cupboards and drawers all over the house. After I cleaned out one of my main storage cabinets, I tackled another, and yet another, and then treked into the basement to organize even more stuff. I had bought all kinds of supplies in hopes of actually doing something with them. Most things weren’t touched or even opened, but a few things were half-made and just needed to be completed. I had talked about doing an etsy shop before, but truth be told I didn’t want to. I didn’t want that push to create things just to make money. I love making things for no reason, and giving them to people for no reason, so the thought of having to crank stuff out for people to buy didn’t seem like fun.

However, after the 30th skein of yarn and the 6th pair of unfinished earrings I found, I realized an etsy shop would be a great compliment to get rid of all this stuff, and to also make a little extra money.

I was actually really nervous about putting my stuff out there for purchase, and hence, scrutiny. But I let fear hold me back from doing a lot of things I want to do and didn’t want that to happen (again), esp. in this case. So without further ado, my etsy shop!

I’m hoping to add stuff weekly, however it will only be a few items at a time, not 18 like I did this week. And I can tell you while my normal crafting usually has the same theme and common threads, my shop my not always. I’m not sure what will get added or what will get scrapped. But if you’d like to be notified via email when new items are in the shop, just leave a comment (or email me) with your email address and I’ll make sure to add you. Also, if anyone local to me wants to purchase anything, I will refund your shipping cost so you won’t have to pay that.

And a big thanks to all my friends who have been so supportive of me doing this (and to Stephanie for being my first purchase!). Your support and encouragment has meant so much to me.

Saturday we had the 5k at our church, which was actually a lot of fun. I don’t know what I was thinking by eating a bunch of tostito’s at about 10 pm the night before (ugh…felt like I was digesting a rock the next morning). But it was okay, I did a lot better than I thought I would and best of all, I actually finished the race.

I always forget how exhausting races can be. I came home and crashed while Conner napped and the rest of the day I was rendered pretty much usless. But I had a great time, and they had a great turnout for a first-time race (80 people for the 5k, 20 children for the kids half-mile). It was also fun running alongside others that I knew and knowing they were only enduring the torture for the orphanages in Central Asia, too.

Sunday we had a surprise baby shower for my friend Amanda (the one I photographed last week with the perfect belly) and it was so much fun. This is her second baby, another boy, so instead of buying a bunch of clothes, we decorated onesies. I highly recommend doing this as a baby shower option b/c it’s fun, it’s easy, and it gives you total freedom to do whatever you think is cute and appropriate (or not…we had to give Erin rules on what she could and couldn’t stencil on the onesie - “don’t bug me” is appropriate; “I suck” is not). And it’s fun for the mom to have play clothes for the baby with a personal touch on them.

And an ending shot of the cupcakes b/c they’re so pretty. And good. Yummmmm.